Butch Leedahl
September 2, 1951 — December 29, 2024
Crystal, ND
Butch Leedahl, 73, of Crystal, ND, passed away Sunday, December 29, 2024, at his home in Crystal. Memorial service will be held Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, Hoople, ND. Visitation will be held for one hour before the time of the service at the church.
Gilbert “Butch” Leedahl was born September 2, 1951, at Grafton, ND, to Pete and Eliza (Ault) Leedahl. He grew up in the Hoople area and graduated from Valley High School in 1969, where he participated in all sports. After high school, Butch attended Mayville State College. He then bartended at Duffy’s Bar in Hoople for 50+ years. 
Butch enjoyed many years of hunting with family and friends, and always loved hunting with dogs, yellow labs being his favorite. He was also very active in playing golf and pool. In the spring, summer, and fall Butch loved being on the golf course, and in the winter couldn’t be kept away from the pool table. He loved watching and wagering on professional sports including the NFL and PGA Tour. He loved College Football and was a dedicated NDSU Bison fan. He also played slow pitch softball throughout his adult life and coached Little League baseball. Butch was also an avid reader of all types of fiction from Sci-Fi to World Wars and everything in between. His true love of the fiction genre was Western primarily Louis L’Amour. There were few Louis L’Armour novels he couldn’t cite chapter and verse.
Butch was a mild mannered and gentle person who was more interested in being a good friend than aspiring to greatness or success. He was an honest and trustworthy man with countless friends. 
He is survived by his sisters, Patty (Leedahl) Willey and Brenda (Leedahl) Jordan as well as nieces and nephews: Chad Hanson, Brett Hanson, Seth Jordan, Lindsay Fischer, Lori (Willey) Kiffmeyer, Michelle Willey, Donald Willey, and Angela (Willey) Dronen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Nancy (Leedahl) Hanson; and grandnephew, Deklen Fischer. 

Dennis Dale Skjordal born May 18, 1942, in Hallock, MN, passed on December 25, 2024 in his home in Grafton, ND, surrounded by his loved ones.
Dennis Skjordal had a lot to be proud of, an Army Veteran that served from 1960 to 1963 as a mechanic on the First Drone Aircraft before he was honorably discharged. After the Army he drove semi for Eversons, worked for Hoople Farmers Grain, was a member of the Hoople Fire Department and EMS, was a proud Hoople Police Officer, later worked at the Hoople Lumber Yard before retiring from Wal-Mart. He spent 30 years as Santa for his growing family and any other kids that were lucky enough to be in his presence. He was a proud collector of old coins from various countries and hundreds of country and rock and roll records and cassettes. But what he was most proud of was his family that he created alongside his wife of nearly 64 years, Clara (Thompson) Skjordal. The couple married on December 31, 1960 in Grafton. Together they volunteered, were Cub Scout leaders, had 5 amazing kids (his words) and 38 grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a devoted husband, father, and Papa. 
In 2023 Dennis was a part of the Veteran’s Honor Flight, where he visited Washington D.C. and had 3 days filled with some of his best memories visiting memorials alongside countless other veterans. 
To know Dennis, was to know an old friend from the very first minute. He welcomed everyone and anyone into his life and remembered their name and story long after those brief moments together. Some of his and his family’s fondest memories together include sharing stories, pranking each other, delivering Meals on Wheels alongside their Papa, and messing up his ever-so-perfect hair. 
Dennis’s memory will remain in the hearts of family, friends, and all those who were honored to have the privilege of knowing him. His legacy, and stories, will live on for generations to come, inspiring those around him with his kindheartedness, generosity, and unforgettable spirit. 
Dennis Dale Skjordal was preceded in death by his parents Nora (Hanson) and Norman Skjordal, his sister Caroline (Darwin) Brecto, and his sister Joann (Don) Gruetzmacher. He is survived in death by his brother Wallace Skjordal, his wife Clara (Thompson) Skjordal, and his 5 children Doug Skjordal, Jeff Skjordal, Todd Skjordal, Randy Skjordal, and Cindy (Skjordal) Mund, alongside his 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.  Inurment will be at the Grafton City Cemetery at a later date.

Lloyd M. Johnson passed away at his home in Grafton on December 25, 2024 at the age of 88. He was born to Nels and Mabel (Mohagen) Johnson on July 7, 1936. He attended grade school at Glenwood School and attended high school at the Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River graduating with the class of 1955. He spent some time at Wahpeton State School of Science. Lloyd farmed in the Nash area and worked at Nash Grain and Trading during some winters. 
Lloyd married Joyce Lindell in 1959 in Bemidji, Minnesota. They spent many summers at Lake of the Woods, Minnesota. He liked working with wood and spent countless hours using a turning lathe. He hunted waterfowl and deer. Lloyd enjoyed socializing at coffee at Nash Grain while living on the farm. When they moved to town, he socialized at a breakfast table at Granny’s. 
Lloyd is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joyce. He is also survived by his daughters, Cynthia (Les Amb) and Lisa (Roger Held). Lloyd’s grandchildren are Heather (Craig) Hutchinson, John (Jessica) Amb, Jake (Amanda) Amb, Kathryn (Tyler) Good, Rachel (Chris) Houle, Adam (Kayla) Held, and Karly (Jerad) Gefroh. Lloyd’s great-grandchildren are Sarah, Laura, Emily, Blake, Landen, Carsen, Maddie, Avery, Elsa, Xavier, Kynlea, Reid, Daniel, Evan, Dally, Tate and Norah. Lloyd is survived by two sisters, Betty (John) Merboth and Debbie (Skip) Clark. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Mabel Johnson and sisters, Delores Swehla and Jean Paquette.
A life well-lived. 
Funeral services will be Monday, Dec. 30, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Grafton Lutheran church, Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Monday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Grafton Lutheran Cemetery.

Rosemary M. Hornung
May 16, 1938 — December 19, 2024
Walhalla

​Rosemary Margaret (Law) Hornung of Walhalla, ND died peacefully, at the age of 86, on December 19th. She was under the care of Pembilier Nursing Center and Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Rosemary was born on May 16th, 1938, in International Falls, MN to Earl and Rose (Poole) Law. She was the second youngest of eight children. She attended school in Winnipeg, Manitoba and graduated from Sherwood (ND) High School. She entered the convent and pursued her teaching degree. She was a teacher and an elementary principal. In 1969, she determined God had another plan for her. She departed from the convent and went to teach in Walhalla, ND. She met John Hornung that Fall. They were married the following year, on July 17th, 1970, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Drayton, ND. In short order, they were blessed with four children. They farmed in Cavalier County but resided in Walhalla to assure their children could be involved in the community. While John managed the farm, Rosemary was a homemaker. She worked at the public library, read at church, and was the kids’ biggest fan at any sporting event or activity. 
 Rosemary gave back to the community. She wrote to local service men while they were deployed. Each year she would pick a senior in high school to follow, and she would make them a scrapbook of articles she had clipped from the local papers. She loved her family, especially as it grew to having grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always the happiest with a baby in her arms.
 Rosemary is survived by her husband of 54 years, John. Their children Lynelle (Jeffery) Osvold, Gregory (Becky) Hornung, Peggy (Shawn) Hanson, and Brenda (Mark) Wyckoff. Grandchildren: Andrew (Courtney), Matthew (Gretchen) and Alexandra; Gavin (Laney), Grady and Gracyn; Ben (Karissa), Jake (Erin), Kallie and Cole; Brynn (Austin), JT (Emily) and Braxton. Five Great-Grandchildren: Owen, Jack, Ada, Jensyn, and Russell. Numerous nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Rose Mary Law, and her treasured friend Sister Susan Lardy.
 She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings: Patrick, Patricia, Kathleen, Michael, John, Maureen, and Mary Ann, son-in-law Daryl Peterson, as well as nine angel grandbabies. 
  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 23, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla, ND. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be sent to the Pembilier Nursing Center, Hospice of the Red River Valley or Faith in Action. Blessed be her memory. 

Melody A. Kittelson age 67 of Grafton, ND passed away on Monday, December 23, 2024 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton, ND.

Melody A Kilmer was born December 20, 1957 in Grafton, ND the daughter of the late George and Donna (McDermaid) Kilmer. She was raised by her mother and step-father Ken Koppen. She attended school in Grafton and went to work at the Lutheran Sunset Home and Friendship in Grafton.  She loved spending time with family, friends and grandchildren. She loved to play cards and games and was always smiling and happy. She loved everyone.

Melody’s first marriage to Terry Burns brought her first son Cory. She later married Lester Langowski and they had two children: Joshua and Ashley. On May 3, 1996 she married Steve Kittelson. They made their home in Harwood, ND. She returned to Grafton after Steve’s passing. 

​Melody is survived by her children: Cory (Tracey) Burns, Grafton, ND; Joshua Langowski, San Tan Valley, AZ; Ashley Langowski, Grafton, ND; her grandchildren: Stephanie (Cody) Rahlf, West Fargo, ND; Lindsey Burns, Grafton, ND; Jazelle, Brielle and Londyn Langowski, San Tan Valley, AZ; siblings: Michele (Ronald) Russell, Newman, GA; Mike (Judy) Kilmer, Grafton, ND; Mary Jo (Mark) Dimmler, Crary, ND; Melinda (Mike) Tessman, Baxter Springs, KS, Mark Kilmer, New Egypt, NJ; Kim (Aaron) Wheeler, Devils Lake, ND; her aunt, Karen (Joe) Walker, Fargo, ND. She was preceded in death by her husband Steve and her parents.

​Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton, ND. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.  The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home Website. Interment will be at Grafton Lutheran Cemetery, Grafton, ND. 

On December 23, 2024, Jesus said, “Come my Son” and Martin O’Neil entered heavens gates.
Martin Lee O’Neil was born on August 6th, 1945, in Deaconess Hospital Grand Forks, ND to Stella Hildre and John Leland O’Neil.  He arrived home and lived his entire life in the same farmhouse south of Fordville, ND. Marty was baptized, confirmed and a member of the Fordville Presbyterian church. 
Marty attended Fordville Public school, graduating in 1964 (along with his sister Pat and future brother-in-law Roger).  While in school he participated in choir, football, track (shot put) and drama club.  
Upon graduation Marty worked a number of jobs.  He drove the school bus for Fordville school, he hauled garbage for the city of Fordville and he hauled livestock in his first cattle truck.  While he was working these jobs, he farmed the land and raised cattle and hogs.
His love of driving led him to get bigger and better trucks for livestock hauling.  He hauled cattle, sheep, hogs, and even buffalo to West Fargo, Minot, Barnesville and Devils Lake.
Marty enjoyed the sport of curling where he was the skip of many teams.  He met his future wife Karen while she learned the sport.
Karen Thuen and Martin O’Neil were married October 6, 1979, in Aurdal Lutheran Church, Portland, ND.  They settled on the family farm and soon had a family of 5.  Matthew, Katie, and Amy.
Besides Marty’s farming, cattle raising, and livestock hauling he served on many boards.  He was Elkmount Township Chairman, having just retired after 49 years.  Also, Fordville Coop Board, Church Board and Fordville Improvement Board.
If you asked Marty what his hobbies were; he would have answered hay making, trucking and eating ice cream.  He was happiest when he was Pie Baking, Christmas baking, making homemade ice cream, doing puzzles, playing card games with grandkids and teaching tractor driving.
Marty is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karen; His son Matt, Fordville, ND; his 2 daughters Katie (Kelley) Dukart, Fargo, ND.  Amy (Jonathan Thompson) O’Neil, Thompson ND.  His 3 precious grandchildren – Adam, Noah, Stella Dukart and his grand pup Finn.2 sisters: Joan Solie, Minneapolis, MN; Pat (Roger) Robertson, Lincoln City, OR.2 brothers:  Bob (Jo Rae), Maple Grove MN; Tom, Mansfield, PA; and many cherished nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.  2 brother in-laws: Don Thuen, Portland ND, Gary (Shirley) Thuen West Fargo, ND. Sister-in-law Barb Thuen, Portland, ND her daughter Cassie (James) Bovey, MN. 
Also surviving are Marty’s other kids:  His “pretend” granddaughters: Lily and Sela Roshau, Jenny “girl” Carlson.  The Teiken kids: Kellie, Ryan, Jackie; The Bells:  Angie, Sharon, Travis – The Madson sisters: Heather and Courtney and the Magnus kids: Corey, Callie, and his godchild Carly Peterson and Trevor Knudson.
Preceding him in death are his parents; Leland and Stella O’Neil, in-laws: Sam and Gladys Thuen, his sister Louise Haugen (Palmer), his brothers John (Jack) (Lona) O’Neil and James (Evy) O’Neil; his brother-in-law Emory Solie: his best friend and nephew Larry Haugen. His friend Justin Bell. 
Marty was a man of great integrity, honesty, kindness and love.  We cherish his memory.
FUNERAL SERVICES:  2 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2025 in the Fordville Lutheran Church of Fordville.    Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service.

Tom McFadden
January 2, 1955 — December 21, 2024
Cavalier

​Tom McFadden, 69, of Cavalier, ND, passed away Saturday, December 21, at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He died with his family by his side, at his favorite place: the beach. Memorial service will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cavalier Presbyterian Church in Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the church. 
Thomas Lynn McFadden was born on January 2, 1955, the seventh of 10 children to Jim and Helen (Greenwood) McFadden. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Neche High School. He attended the North Dakota State School of Science before enlisting in the Army. After a posting in Germany, he returned home to farm with his brother Dennis. He later worked at the Cavalier Grain Elevator and spent the last 15 years at Lage Farms. Tom married Laurie Fuller in December 1985. They had two sons, Craig and Kyle, and made their home in Cavalier.
Tom was a notoriously happy person who made friends wherever he went. His infectious laugh and genuine, warm nature put everyone around him at ease. He was ferociously loyal to his family and put his two boys ahead of all else. He supported their dreams, loved them unconditionally, and cared most about their happiness. He left this world too soon but had a smile on his face until the end. 
Tom is survived by his sons, Craig (Tony Quintana and Felix Giles) and Kyle, and six siblings: Peggy Page, Kitty Ann Mullen (Dave Waller), Pat (Marge) McFadden, Dennis (Maxine) McFadden, Bob (Val) McFadden, and David McFadden (Peg Fuerst). He also loved his many nieces and nephews as if they were his own. Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Laurie, parents Jim and Helen, and siblings Donald, Sue Ellen, and Karen.

Georgia Ann (Langowski) Udby, age 65 of Lankin, ND passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at the First Care Health Center of Park River.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, December 27, 2024 at 10:30 am at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.  The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home website.  Interment will be at the Hoff Lutheran Cemetery of Rural Adams in the spring.

Laurence A Charbonneau
October 9, 1928 — December 14, 2024
formerly of Pembina, ND

​Laurence A. Charbonneau, 96, of Pembina, ND, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Eventide in Fargo, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo, ND. Visitation will be held for one hour before the time of the service with a rosary at 10:00 a.m. Memorials to the charity of your choice.
Full Obituary to follow. 

Merideth A. Holmquist
June 1, 1946 — December 14, 2024
Formerly of Neche

​Our loving mother, Merideth Ann Holmquist, 78, of Neche, ND and Baudette, MN passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024 in Bemidji, MN with her family by her side.
Meri was born on June 1, 1946, in Grafton, ND to Frank and Kathleen (Linde) Trenbeath. She grew up on the farm near Neche with her brother Tom and sister Susan. She attended Neche Public School and received her diploma in 1964. That year, she married Lou Kihne and two children, Kari and Danny, were born to that union. She later married Gary Skovgaard in 1972, and they became parents to Andy and Maggie. She was united in marriage to Jim Holmquist on October 22, 1999, in Neche, ND. They recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
Many knew Meri from her time working at the Neche School where she was the Business Manager from 1981 until she retired in 2016. She always had a stick of gum in her drawer for students who came looking, the exact piece of paper you needed, and a smile to greet you when you saw her at the lunch line. You could always hear her coming down the hall with her heels clickety-clacking as she went about her business. Meri also worked as the Neche City Auditor for many years and gave that desk calculator a run for its money. Meri was a longtime supporter of the Neche American Legion Gainer-McAndrews Post #242 as well as the Neche American Legion Auxiliary.
Meri enjoyed reading books, playing solitaire or other computer games, and watching crime show mysteries. She enjoyed finding a good deal at any and all garage sales and was sure to point them out in passing. She was always prepared and well put together, whether that be with jewelry for the occasion or fingernails painted for the holiday. She and Jim enjoyed their time at the lake and loved to dance and took advantage any chance they could get. But above all else, her favorite pastime was spending time with her family. She was the glue that held that growing bunch together, whether it be organizing meals at our annual 4th of July fireworks extravaganza or arranging all things related to Christmas get-togethers. There weren’t many events of her grandchildren that she missed. She enjoyed watching them all blossom into young adults and was so proud of each and every one.
Meri is survived by her husband of 25 years, Jim; her 4 children Kari (Mike) Heinrichs, Danny Kihne, Andy (Shannon) Skovgaard, and Maggie (Jerry) Standifer; her 11 grandchildren Katie Heinrichs, Kallie (Joey) Dahl, Tasha (Carson) Heinrichs, Tara Heinrichs, Brock (Kelly) Setness, Blake (Marie) Setness, Brandon Kihne, Cole & Katie McCaw, Lauren & Logan Standifer; 6 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way; her brother Tom (Rose) Trenbeath, her sister Susan (Tim) Fisher, and many loved nieces and nephews. Meri is preceded in death by her parents and her nephew, John Fisher.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Shiner’s Hospital for Children at www.ShrinersChildren.org
Memorial service will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Trinity Methodist Church in Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church.